Comments on: Smiling Coelacanth http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: TEKNA2007 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029383 TEKNA2007 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029383 Wikipedia says: "As a food fish the coelacanth is almost worthless as its tissues exude oils that give the flesh a foul flavor." I'm gonna guess that was written by a paleontologist and not a fisherman. Wikipedia says:

“As a food fish the coelacanth is almost worthless as its tissues exude oils that give the flesh a foul flavor.”

I’m gonna guess that was written by a paleontologist and not a fisherman.

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1030161 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1030161 obligatory Coelacanth advertising reference (in a badly recorded Jetta commercial) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9H0sv3xw4 obligatory Coelacanth advertising reference
(in a badly recorded Jetta commercial)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9H0sv3xw4

]]> By: Space Toast http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029655 Space Toast Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029655 I name him Stan. I name him Stan.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029428 Mister44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029428 You beat me to it. I love the Coelacanth just the same. *snuggles* re: ""As a food fish the coelacanth is almost worthless as its tissues exude oils that give the flesh a foul flavor." I'm gonna guess that was written by a paleontologist and not a fisherman." I dunno who wrote it, but I believe the consensus was that it doesn't taste good. IIRC, when it was discovered in the 30's at a fish market, the locals said they caught that type of fish from time to time, but that it was a 'waste fish', and not good to eat. You beat me to it.

I love the Coelacanth just the same. *snuggles*

re: “”As a food fish the coelacanth is almost worthless as its tissues exude oils that give the flesh a foul flavor.”

I’m gonna guess that was written by a paleontologist and not a fisherman.”

I dunno who wrote it, but I believe the consensus was that it doesn’t taste good. IIRC, when it was discovered in the 30′s at a fish market, the locals said they caught that type of fish from time to time, but that it was a ‘waste fish’, and not good to eat.

]]> By: Talia http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029443 Talia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029443 Does make me wonder if there is an evolution thing that results in surviving species tasting bad. IE species that taste one way perish, while their mutations that taste another way don't as much. It's interesting to contemplate, if utterly unprovable. Does make me wonder if there is an evolution thing that results in surviving species tasting bad. IE species that taste one way perish, while their mutations that taste another way don’t as much.

It’s interesting to contemplate, if utterly unprovable.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029699 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029699 I've seen the "original" coelacanth, it's in a museum in East London, South Africa -- it was quite a bit larger than I expected, but still totally awesome. I’ve seen the “original” coelacanth, it’s in a museum in East London, South Africa — it was quite a bit larger than I expected, but still totally awesome.

]]> By: gwailo_joe http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029451 gwailo_joe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029451 whatever you do evolution-wise: someone, somewhere. . .wants to eat you. and will evolve in concert to do it. whatever you do evolution-wise: someone, somewhere. . .wants to eat you.

and will evolve in concert to do it.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029458 Mister44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029458 IIRC, I think some insects use this defense. They taste like crap and/or are a bit poisonous and the birds won't eat them. Then there are tasty, non-poisonous bugs who mimic their markings to avoid the same fate. I am not even sure how well fish can taste. I know they can 'smell'. But considering animals eat their own shit and the offal, unless they are made sick or dead from eating it, I doubt bad taste is going to stop them too much. In the ocean a lot of things swallow other things whole. I think the coelocanth just lucked out that it's niche survived the various extinction events. It makes me hope that even though Trilobites were shallow dwellers, that there are still some left somewhere in the unexplored abyss. IIRC, I think some insects use this defense. They taste like crap and/or are a bit poisonous and the birds won’t eat them. Then there are tasty, non-poisonous bugs who mimic their markings to avoid the same fate.

I am not even sure how well fish can taste. I know they can ‘smell’. But considering animals eat their own shit and the offal, unless they are made sick or dead from eating it, I doubt bad taste is going to stop them too much. In the ocean a lot of things swallow other things whole.

I think the coelocanth just lucked out that it’s niche survived the various extinction events. It makes me hope that even though Trilobites were shallow dwellers, that there are still some left somewhere in the unexplored abyss.

]]> By: Marilyn Terrell http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1030738 Marilyn Terrell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1030738 I think that's a perfect name for this guy. I think that’s a perfect name for this guy.

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1030777 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1030777 LIKE! LIKE!

]]> By: entheo http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1030523 entheo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1030523 millrick, if we are having some obligatory Coelacanth advertising reference then I should put up the links to some Coelacanth plushies I found for sale when I was in Japan http://item.rakuten.co.jp/love-journey/5335b/ http://item.rakuten.co.jp/love-journey/2462/ and the link to their other Palaeozic Fish fossil plushies (just for Maggie Koerth-Baker) that this place has http://entheo.livejournal.com/30720.html millrick, if we are having some obligatory Coelacanth advertising reference
then I should put up the links to some Coelacanth plushies I found for sale when I was in Japan
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/love-journey/5335b/
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/love-journey/2462/

and the link to their other Palaeozic Fish fossil plushies (just for Maggie Koerth-Baker) that this place has
http://entheo.livejournal.com/30720.html

]]> By: Eark_the_Bunny http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029297 Eark_the_Bunny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029297 When a Coelacanth smiles like that at you, be very, very afraid. When a Coelacanth smiles like that at you, be very, very afraid.

]]> By: EeyoreX http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029306 EeyoreX Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029306 Ok, but what do these rare creatures <i>taste</i> like? You want to know, just admit it. Ok, but what do these rare creatures taste like?

You want to know, just admit it.

]]> By: sapere_aude http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029307 sapere_aude Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029307 That photo reminds me of a fish I saw many, many years ago in some aquarium – if memory serves, it was the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago – that looked like it had the face of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. Creepy. That photo reminds me of a fish I saw many, many years ago in some aquarium – if memory serves, it was the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago – that looked like it had the face of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. Creepy.

]]> By: CANTFIGHTTHEDITE http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029313 CANTFIGHTTHEDITE Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029313 It's a different coelacanth, of the genus Latimeria, not the genus that were swimming around in the Cretaceous. Of course, coelacanth comes from the order COELACANTHIFORMES, so the statement is true but slightly misleading. It’s a different coelacanth, of the genus Latimeria, not the genus that were swimming around in the Cretaceous. Of course, coelacanth comes from the order COELACANTHIFORMES, so the statement is true but slightly misleading.

]]> By: efergus3 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029826 efergus3 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029826 The Monarch and False Monarch butterflies. The Monarch and False Monarch butterflies.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029318 Donald Petersen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029318 Just wondering: are there <b>any</b> genera remaining from the Cretaceous? Maybe some sharks or roaches? I am only an egg, especially when it comes to paleontology. Just wondering: are there any genera remaining from the Cretaceous? Maybe some sharks or roaches?

I am only an egg, especially when it comes to paleontology.

]]> By: Church http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029319 Church Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029319 Oh nice. I think that's the first pic of a live coelacanth that I've seen. Oh nice. I think that’s the first pic of a live coelacanth that I’ve seen.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029576 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029576 They taste like chicken; what'd you expect? "-) They taste like chicken; what’d you expect? “-)

]]> By: gwailo_joe http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029328 gwailo_joe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029328 Check this out: http://www.economist.com/node/18111764 Large, carnivorous, cricket-like insects from 100 million years ago assigned to an existing genus. I knew my subscription would come in handy some day. . . Check this out: http://www.economist.com/node/18111764

Large, carnivorous, cricket-like insects from 100 million years ago assigned to an existing genus.

I knew my subscription would come in handy some day. . .

]]> By: Sekino http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029340 Sekino Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029340 LOL Coelacanth: "HAI!! :D" LOL Coelacanth: “HAI!! :D”

]]> By: Flashman http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029342 Flashman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029342 Apparently they are caught occasionally by Mozambique fishermen - which is how Courtenay-Latimer discovered the fish in the first place - and have just been eaten by the locals like any other fish. Not especially tasty I'd imagine, but then, when I think of coelacanths I think of pale, jaundiced things floating in murky formaldehyde. When I was a kid in South Africa my parents were friends with JLB Smith (historically considered to have 'discovered' the coelacanth, until more recently people have come to realize that it was in fact Margaret Courtenay-Latimer who first found it, sending the specimen on to JLB for confirmation), so these fish have always held some fascination for me. Apparently they are caught occasionally by Mozambique fishermen – which is how Courtenay-Latimer discovered the fish in the first place – and have just been eaten by the locals like any other fish.
Not especially tasty I’d imagine, but then, when I think of coelacanths I think of pale, jaundiced things floating in murky formaldehyde. When I was a kid in South Africa my parents were friends with JLB Smith (historically considered to have ‘discovered’ the coelacanth, until more recently people have come to realize that it was in fact Margaret Courtenay-Latimer who first found it, sending the specimen on to JLB for confirmation), so these fish have always held some fascination for me.

]]> By: ToMajorTom http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029346 ToMajorTom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029346 I had never heard of a coelacanth before playing Nintendo's Animal Crossing (when I was 40, no less). I suppose Nintendo filled in the gaps of my science education where public schools failed. I had never heard of a coelacanth before playing Nintendo’s Animal Crossing (when I was 40, no less). I suppose Nintendo filled in the gaps of my science education where public schools failed.

]]> By: Richard http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029610 Richard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029610 This thread wouldn't be complete without some fine coelacanth poetry. http://www.dinofish.com/poem.htm This thread wouldn’t be complete without some fine coelacanth poetry.

http://www.dinofish.com/poem.htm

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029613 irksome Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029613 I would consider naming a child Coelacanth, if I was ever having a kid. But I'm not. So there. As to eating them, I remember reading that their bodies release uric acid upon death and that the locals consider them inedible. Excellent defense mechanism, tasting like piss. I would consider naming a child Coelacanth, if I was ever having a kid. But I’m not. So there.

As to eating them, I remember reading that their bodies release uric acid upon death and that the locals consider them inedible. Excellent defense mechanism, tasting like piss.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/16/smiling-coelacanth.html#comment-1029620 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1029620 Why eat them? I know they Won't like it and if we want to save them we can't eat them, right? Why eat them? I know they Won’t like it and if we want to save them we can’t eat them, right?

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